Refrigerating apparatus



May 27, 1930. s. F. ANDERSON I REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed July 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet. 1

May 27, 1930. s. F. ANDERSON 1,760,621

'REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed July 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

Patented May 27, 193% PATENT OFFICE SWAN F. ANDERSON, F ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Application filed July 13,

My invention relates torefrigerating apparatus especially designed for installation in household refrigerator cabinets.

The present invention is more particularly concerned with various improvements in the design, construction, and operation of the compressor unit of a refrigerating apparatus for the purpose of providing a more simple and compact mechanism, giving efficient and economical refrigeration, and operating with no perceptible noise.

With the foregoing objects in view my. invention provides an improved arran ement of the motor, compressor, and con ensing coil resulting in an extremely compact unit while at the same time securing the best practicable cooling of the three elements referred to. Another feature is the provisionof a connection for the motor control switch whereby it is automatically opened and closed with the closing and opening of the cooling water line. Still another feature consists in the provision of an improved discharge valve and intake valve which eliminate objectionable pounding noises.

The invention embraces still further objects and advantages'to be pointed out or made apparent from the following specification. The specification has reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating my invention, in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the mechanism as it is provided for installation suitably in a compartment of the refrigerator cabinet;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through the mechanism showing the interior parts in elevation;

Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal vertical section;

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section through the mechanism taken at one side of the compressor;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail of the connection for operating the motor switch in unison with the turning on and ofi of the cooling water;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional detail through the head end of the compressor cylinder with the piston appearing in its upper 1925. Serial No. 43,077.

dead center position showing the improved intake and discharge valves used;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective of the more important parts of the intake and discharge valves shown spread out but in the relation which they occupy with respect to one another in operation.

Throughout the views the same reference numerals are applied to corresponding parts. The mechanism comprises a container 10 of rectangular form having its side walls fitting in annular recesses in a base plate 11 and top plate 12. A number of bolts 13 threading into sockets in the base plate 11 hold the parts together. Suitable packing material is provided in the annular recesses of the two plates to render the container fluid-tight. A housing 1.4 of cylindrical form is supported in fluid tight relation between two end walls of the container below the normal level of cooling water kept in the container. The

a water is supplied through an inlet connection 15 and is discharged from the proper level through another connection 16. The water supply, it will be understood, is derived from the water mains which the user has at his disposal. The waste water is conveniently carried off with the waste water from a kitchen sink or the like by tapping into a line ex tending therefrom to a catch basin. The housing 14 contains. an electric motor 17 for driving the compressor 18. The housing 14 is maintained fluid-tight by gaskets 19 between the plates 20 and 21 and the end walls of the container. The plates 20 fit in openings in the end walls of the container and support the plates 21 on studs 22. The plates 21 are threaded in the internally threaded opposite ends of the housing 14. The compressor 18 is mounted in fluid-tight relation on the housing 14 below the level of the cooling water by means of a bushing 23 threading into the top of the housing 14 at one end thereof. From the description thus far advanced it will be seen that the arrangement takes full advantage of the use of the cooling water for cooling the compressor and dissipating the heat resulting from the operation of the motor in driving the compressor. The arrangement further enables the convenient location shown of the condensing coil 24 coiled about the housing 14 alongside the compressor 18.

The inlet connection 15 for the cooling water includes a nipple which communicates with a fitting 26 inside the container 10 above the housing 14. A cup leather plunger 27 operates in a smooth bore inside the fitting 26 and is arranged to be moved to one end thereof under the pressure of the incoming water and against the action of a coiled compression spring 28. The latter tends nor mally to urge the plunger to the retracted position shown. There is just sufficient sluggishness inthe action of the spring 28 to allow the plunger 27 to remain in its advanced position with cooling water entering the connection 15 and escaping through the opening 29 in the side of the fitting26. On the other hand, there is just sufiicient seepage of water past the plunger so that almost as soon as the flow of water is interrupted, the

plunger returns by spring pressure to the retracted position shown. In the movement of the lunger forward under the pressure of the incoming water, the rod 30 operates a lever 31 extending from a switch 32 which controls the operation of the motor 17, there bein connections with the motor through terminals 17 provided on the side of the container. As indicated in Fi 1, the lever 31 is forked to admit the rod 0 and lies between two abutments 33 and 34 provided by nuts threading on the rod 30 andlocked in their proper spaced relation. The nuts 33 coming into engagement with the lever 31 close the switch in the forward movement of the plunger 27 and the nuts 34 on the return stro e move the lever to open position. The admission of water is arranged to be automaticallycontrolled with changes in the temperature existing in the refrigerator. Any

one of a variety of different devices may be employed in this connection as, for example, a thermostat or some other mechanical device relying for its operation upon temperature changes. By providing the connection 7 between the motor switch and the fluid line I eliminate the useless wasting of cooling water during the intervals when the refrigerating mec anism is out of operation due to the temperature of the refrigerator being sufliciently low.

The water discharged from the outlet opening 29 of the fitting 26 is conducted through a hose connection 35 into a water jacket 36 provided by a flexible hose fitting about two or more coils at the outlet end of the condensing coil 24. The heat resulting from the compression of the gas is, for the most part, dissipated to the circulating cooling water in the container in the condensing of the compressed gas to a liquid state and what sli ht amount of heat may still remain in the liquid refrigerant as it is about to leave the coil 24 is taken up by the water as it enters the container through the jacket 36, where the water is at the lowest obtainable temperature.

The jacket 36 is connected'to a fitting 37 having a neck over which one end of the hose connection 35 is fitted as shown. The fitting 37 also threads upon a nipple 38 which, with a pressure gage 39, is threaded in a fitting 40 in the side wall of the container. The gage 39 is provided at the outlet end of the coil 24 to indicate the pressure of the liquid refrigerant previous to its evaporation to a gaseous form by passing through a reducing valve into an evaporating or refrigerating coil. A gage 41, mounted on a fitting 42,

serves to indicate the pressure of the gas exhausted from the discharge end of the evaporating coil of the refrigerator. The fitting 42 is connected by a tube 43 with a nipple 43 tapped into the housing 14 to establish communication between the fitting 42 and a chamber 44 provided in the housing 14 between the one end plate 21 and a bearing plate 45 for the armature of the motor 17. The plate 45 is sweat-soldered inside the housing 14 in the position shown -'so that the chamber 44 affords an oil well in the bottom thereof from which oil is furnished for the lubrication of the compressor piston 46 and the parts connected therewith, and the bearing 47 of the armature shaft 48. The compressor 18 receives its low pressure gas supply from the chamber 44 and, as will be more apparent hereinafter, compresses this gas. The compressed gas is then condensed to a liquid state in the coil 24. The liquid refrigerant upon evaporation by expansion in the usual manner provides refrigeration in a manner generally known. I prefer to utilize CO gas although it is understood that other gases suited to the purpose may be used. The CO gas when compressed to the value of the low pressure supply is sufliciently dense so that the lubricating oil in the chamber 44 tends to float in it and is thereby deposited in the form of a sweat or film on all of the operating parts so that lubrication is greatly facilitated. This gas furthermore, has the distinct advantage in that it is practically harmless in the event of a break in the line and exercises no deteriorating effect on the oil. The oil carried in suspension in the gas to the operating parts or supplied by splash lubrication provides an oil seal between the piston 46 and the wall of the compressor cylinder 49, the oil being retained in a series of oil grooves 50 provided in the piston. Any oil collecting inside thepiston 46 drains into the chamber 44 through the laterally directed tube 51 which forms the gas intake port for the piston. The tube 51 being horizontally disposed there is little likelihood of oil being splashed into the piston and conducted therefrom into the cylinder. I

The armature shaft 48 has an eccent ic 52 keyed thereon operating in a strap 53 provided with lugs 54 pivoted to a crank pin 55 passed through the lower end of the piston 46. A counter-weight member 56 is provided on the eccentric 52 to secure an evenly balanced structure operating with little vibration. An oil disk 57 is fixed on the shaft 48 behind the eccentric 52 and has its lower edge dipping in the oil well previously referred to. The disk 57 is disposed behind the ring 58 to keep the main body of the oil away from the disk 57. The latter therefore operates only with what oil lies behind the ring 58 and throws it out under centrifugal force forming a circle of oil in the annular recess 59 between the ring 58 and the plate 45. What oil is not supplied to the operating parts by the oil carried in suspension in the gas, is supplied by the action of the disk 57. There is also a certain amount of splash action as the eccentric 52 dips into the oil in the operation of the compressor. A bafile plate 60 is provided in front of the ring 58 to prevent the throwing of oil off the eccentric into the open end of the connection 61 which communicates through a tube 62 with another connection 63 tapped into the housing 14 at the opposite end of the armature 17. The communication thus, established results in equalizing the pressure on both sides of the bearing 47. .It will be seen that a difference in pressure between the chamber 44 and the chamber in which the armature 17 operates would otherwise cause a passing of too much oil and oil vapor from the chamber 44 onto the armature 17 or onto its commutator 64. Such oil as collects in the bearing 47 is retained by a cup leather 65 secured by the bearing 47 in the plate 45 and fitting snugly about the shaft 48. A stamped sheet metal ring 66 secured loosely on the plate 45 about the shaft 48 retains any oil thrown oil the shaft 48 that may pass the cup leather 65 and prevents its getting to the armature. This oil is free to run down the inside ofthe wall 45 and after it collects in suflicient amounts about the lower pole piece 67, may drain through anopening 68 provided in the plate 69 and from thence into the connection 63. It is then carried back to the chamber 44 when a pressure dilferential occurs between the' connections 61 and 63 in the normal operation of the mechanism. The plate 69, it will be noted, supports a disk 7 0 carrying holders for brushes riding on the commutator 64.

A coneishaped baffle plate 71 and a circular baflie plate 71' serve to prevent oil being thrown onto the commutator 64 from the connection 63 if any happens to have drained into it. A small slug of oil might otherwise be thrown from the connection upon asudden inrush of pressure from chamber 44 through the communicating tube 43.

The cylinder 49 has a flange 72, held rigidly by a head 73 which is secured by a plural-' down stroke thereof. The disk 75 is central- 1v apertured to receive the screw 77 to hold the disk 75 onto the top of the piston 46. The

notches 76 extend inwardly from the periphery only a short distance so that the disk normally covers a circular series of holes 78 in the top wall of the piston 46. The disk 75 is capable of a slight amount of movement off the top of the piston to allow gas to pass' through the ports 78 and through the notches 76 past the piston 46 on the down stroke thereof. On the return stroke the disk seats and compression of the gas occurs. The screw 77 is capable of fine adjustment to secure the desired degree of fluttering of the valve. The head 73 has a cylindrical recess 7 9 for receiving a cage 80, having a central bore as indieated at 81, for the reception of a coiled compression spring 82. The latter seats at one end against the head 73 and at the other end upon a disk 83 to hold it and another disk 84 in tight contact covering the end of the bore of the cylinder 49. The disk 83 has a central aperture 85 and the disk 84 a circular series of apertures 86 which do not register with the aperture 85 so that compressed gas is not free to pass the disks unless the same are in separated relation. It will be noted that the disk 83 is slightly smaller in diameter than the disk 84 and is received in a circular recess 87 in the end of the cage 80. The disk 84 is received in another circular recess 88 in the cage 80. The disk 84 is capable of a slight movement off the end of the cylinder 49 and substantially the same amount of movement is in addition permitted for the disk 83 off the disk 84, by reason of the difference in depths of the recesses 87 and 88. When the disks lie in separated relation the compressed gases are free to pass the same by way of the apertures 85 and 86. These gases pass out through the bore 81 into the recess 79 from whence they escape through the discharge port 89. The latter as indicated in Fig. 2, has connection at 90 with the intake end of the condensing coil 24.

It will be noted that the cage 80 is reduced in diameter a portion of its length so that a flange 80 is formed at the end which seats upon the cylinder 49. This flange is castellated as indicated at 91, for the free passage of compressed gas about the cage. The flange 80' also provides an abutment for a compression spring 92 engaging between thefiange 80 and the inner end of the recess 79 in the cylinder head 73. A certain amount of clearance is left between the end of the cage 80 and the inner end of the recess 79 to allow slight movement of the cage 80 OK the end of the cylinder 49. This is an emergency provision to accommodate occasional excessive pressures and relieve the consequent excessive stresses which would otherwise be communicated to the operating mechanism. This provision also insures proper operation despite a'possible sticking together of the valve disks 83 and 84 which, however, has never been known to occur in normal operation. I have found that the provision of a valve of this construction practically eliminates any perceptible noise in the operation of the compressor. The construction furthermore obviates the necessity for frequent replacement of the valves. Each of the disks being capable only of a slight degree of fluttering is not subjected to injurious pounding action and for that reason operates quietly.

I claim:

'1. In a refrigerating apparatus, a condensing .coil, a container therefor, cooling liquid line connections therefor, a liquid tight housing arranged below the normal liquid level in said container, a compressor having communication with said condensing coil and mounted in liquid tight relation on said housing also below the liquid level, and a motor completely encased within said housing having driving connections with said compressor.

2. In a refrigerating apparatus, a container, cooling liquid line connections therefor, a liquid tight housing arranged below the normal liquid level in said container, a compressor mounted in liquid tight relation on said housing also below the liquid level, a motor completely encased within said housing having driving connections with said compressor, and a condensing coil having connection with said compressor and coiled about said housing.

3. In a refrigerating apparatus, a container, cooling liquid line connections therefor, a liquid tight housing arranged below the normal liquid level in said container, a compressor mounted in liquid tight relation on said housing also below the liquid level, a motor within said housing having driving connections with said compressor, and a condensing coil having connection with said compressor and coiled about said housing, the inlet for said cooling liquid line being provided with an extension coiled with the condensing coil in the form of a jacket about a substantial length of one end of said coil, the end of said extension being open for direct discharge of the cooling liquid into said container.

4'. In a refrigerating apparatus, a container, a compressor having a condensing coil disposed in said container, and a cooling water supply line for said container having its inlet in the form of a jacket about a substantial length of the outlet end of said coil and having the free end thereof open and arranged to discharge directly into the container.

5. In a refrigerating apparatus, comprising a condensing coil, the combination of a cooling fluid container, a fluid-tight housing immersed in the fluid in said container, the said housing having a partition wall therein dividing the same into two chambers, a motor completely encased within said housing in one chamber having a part extending through the partition wall into the other chamber, and a compressor communicating with the condensing coil and mounted in fluid-tight relation on said housing and communicating with the other chamber as a crank case, said compressor having a driving connection with the aforesaid motor part.

6. In a structure as set forth in claim 5 wherein the last mentioned chamber communicating with the compressor serves as an oil reservoir for theprovision of lubricant to the compressor, the provision whereby the pressure differential produced between the two chambers does not result in the introduction of lubricant from the compressor chamber to the motor chamber.

7. In a refrigerating apparatus, comprising a condensing coil, the combination of a cooling fluid container, a hermetically sealed hollow housing immersed in the cooling fluid in said container, said housing having a partition walltherein dividing the same into twochambers, a rotor and stator of a motor in one of said chambers, the rotor having a part extending through the partition wall whereby the latter provides an intermediate bearing therefor, a compressor communicating with the other chamber in said housing and mounted thereon, and a driving connection between said compressor and said rotor at said bearin 8. In a refrigerating apparatus, comprising a condensing coil, the combination of a cooling liquid container, a hermetically sealed hollow housing immersed in the cooling liquid in said container, said housing having a partition wall therein near one end thereof in transverse relation to the longitudinal axis of the housing dividing the same into two chambers, one appreciably larger than the other, a rotor'and stator of a motor assembled in the larger chamber through the open end thereof, the smaller chamber serving as an oil reservoir, a compressor connected with said condensing coil and communicating with the smaller chamber, the rotor having a part extending through an opening in the partition wall for driving connection with said rotor, means providing a driving connection between the compressor and the rotor part arranged to be assembled in'the smaller chamber through the open end thereof, and closures for the openends of said chambers.

9. In a refrigerating apparatus, comprising a condensing coil, the combination of a cooling liquid container, a hermetically sealed hollow housing immersed in the cooling liquid in said container, said housing having a partition wall therein in transverse relation to the longitudinal axis of the housing, a rotor and stator of a motor assembled in one chamber through the open end thereof, a compressor connected with said condensing coil and communicating with the other chamber, the rotor having a part extending through an opening in the partition wall for driving connection with said rotor, means providing a driving connection between the compressor and the rotor part arranged to be assembled in the last mentioned chamber through the open end thereof, and closures for the open ends of said chambers.

1.0. In a refrigerating apparatus, comprising a condensing coil, the combination of a cooling liquid container, a hollow housing immersed inthe cooling liquid in said container, said housing having a partition wall therein in transverse relation to the longitudinal axis thereof dividing the same into two chambers, closures for theopposite ends of said housing serving to seal said chambers,

' a rotor and stator of a motor in one of said chambers, the rotor having one end thereof supported by a bearing carried by the closure for said chamber and having the other end thereof extending through an opening in the partition wall and projecting into the other chamber, a compressor connected with saidcondensing coil and communicating with the other chamber in said housing and mounted thereon, and a driving connection between said compressor and the end of said .rotor in said chamber.

11. A structure as set forth in claim 10 wherein the last mentioned chamber serves as an oil reservoir for the provision oflubricant to the compressor, and including means for preventing the passage of oil from said chamber to the other chamber through the opening in the partition wall about the end of the rotor extending therethrough.

12. In a refrigerating apparatus, comprising a condensing coil, the combination of a cooling liquid container, a hollow housing immersed in'the cooling liquid in said con- I tainer, said housing having a partition wall therein in transverse relation to the longitudinal axis thereof dividing the same into two chambers, closures for the opposite ends of said housing serving to seal said chambers, a rotor and stator of a motor in one of said chambers, the rotor having one end thereof supported by. a bearing carried by the closure for said chamber and having the other end thereof extending through an opening in the partition wall and projecting into the other chamber, and supported by a bearing carriedby said partition wall, a compressor connected with said condensing coil and communicating with the other chamber in said' housing and mounted thereon, and a driving connection between said compressor and the end of said rotor in said chamber.

13. In a refrigerating apparatus, comprising a condensing coil, the combination of a cooling liquid container, a hollow housing immersed in the cooling liquid in said container, said housing having a partition wall. therein between the end walls thereof in transverse relation to the longitudinal axis thereof dividing the same into two chambers, a rotor and stator of a motor in one of said chambers, the rotor having one end supported by a bearing carried by the adjacent end-wall of said housing and having the other end thereof extending through an opening provided in the partition wall and supported by a bearing in. the other chamber, the latter chamber serving as an oil reservoir whereby to insure lubrication of the last mentioned bearing, there being preferably means to prevent the passage of oil through the opening in the partition wallfrom said chamber into'the first chamber, a compressor having connection with the condensing coil and mounted so as to be in communication with the oil reservoir chamber whereby the compressor is insured of lubrication, and .a-

reservoir chamber whereby the same is likewise insured of lubrication.

14. In a refrigerating apparatus, a cooling liquid container, a hollow housing immersed in the cooling liquid in said container and disposed in spaced relation to the inside walls of said container, a condensing coil also immersed in the cooling liquid in said container coiled about the outside of said housing in the space between the latter and the inside of said container, said housing having a partition wall therein dividing the same into two chambers, a motor completely encased within said housing in one of said chambers having the armature shaft thereof extending through an opening in the partition wall and projecting into the other chamber, the latter chaming a partition wall between the closures and in substantially parallel relation therewith dividing the housing into two chambers, a motor in one of said chambers having the armature shaft thereof extending through an opening provided in the partition wall into the other chamber, the latter chamber serving as an oil reservoir, there being preferably meansto prevent the passage of oil from said chamber into the first chamber through said opening in the partition wall, a compressor connected with said condensing coil and mounted on the wall of said housing in communication with the oil reservoir chamber and having means providing a driving connection between it and the armature shaft in said chamber, and means for mounting the housing in said container in spaced relation to the surrounding walls thereof and in such a way that the housing is insertable into the container and removable therefrom as a separately assembled unit, said means comprising plates adapted to be received in openings provided in opposite walls of said container and arranged to be secured to the closures in the op osite endsof said housing.

1.6. structure asset forth in claim 15 wherein the condensing coil is coiled about the outside of said housin whereby the same is arranged to be inserted or removed from said container with the housing as a part of one assembled unit.

17. A structure as set forth in claim 15 including a pipe connection on the outside of said housing establishing communication between the two chambers therein whereby to equalize any pressure differential therebetween and minimize the danger of oil passing from the compressor chamber into the motor chamber.

18. A structure as set forth in claim 9 including means for equalizing the pressure between the two chambers whereby to minimize the danger of the passage of oil from the compressor chamber to the motor chamber.

19. A structure as set forth in claim 10 including means for equalizing the pressure henature.

SWAN F. ANDERSON.

tween the two chambers whereby to minimize the danger of the passage of oil from the compressor chamber to the motor chamber.

20. A structure as set forth in claim 13 including means for equalizing the pressure between the two chambers whereby to minimize the danger of the passage of oil from the compressor chamber to the motor chamber.

21. A structure as set forth in claim 14 including means for equalizing the pressure between the two chambers whereby to minimize the danger of the passage of oil from 

